Manchester City's Sun Jihai gestures during their English Premier League soccer match against Sunderland at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, northern England, November 5, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, June 19 -- China's most successful Europe-based soccer player Sun Jihai will likely say goodbye to China's national team after FIFA banned him for five international matches.

    In China's World Cup qualifying match against Qatar On June 7, the versatile Manchester City midfielder was shown a red card for dissent while he was warming up as a substitute.

    FIFA announced on Tuesday that Sun would be banned for the next five matches and fined 7,000 Swiss francs (6,709 U.S. dollars) for his verbal assault on the referee.

    The 31-year-old Sun denied he insulted the official, saying it was another example of China being victimized by a referee.

    "I was surprised when I heard of the suspension. I just said some words, which are usually heard in the Premier League. I did not verbally abuse him or insult him.

    "I do know I did something wrong at the time. But in the past, China has been disadvantaged by the referee's whistle.

    "I have nothing to say as China is a constant underachiever in soccer. But I still believe the referee at that match had problems with his whistle."

    China lost the match 1-0 after a controversial penalty.

    Sun served the first match of the ban during China's 2-1 loss against Iraq last weekend and will also miss China's final qualifying match against Australia on June 22.

    The suspension also means he cannot compete for China's Olympic team at the Beijing Games.

    China's next official international match will not be until next year's Asian Cup qualifying matches.

    Sun, who is also set to leave his English Premiership club Manchester City next season, has already expressed plans to retire next year and the five-game ban increases speculation that his international career has come to an end.

    But Sun told Titan Sports on Tuesday that he could still don the national shirt in the future.

    "Yes, it will be a long time before I show up on the national team again, but anything is possible. I am not quitting yet and I still have the ambition to play for the national team."

    Sun started his professional career with then domestic league champion Dalian Wanda in 1995.

    He and former national team captain Fan Zhiyi joined Crystal Palace in 1998.

    In 2002, Sun signed for Manchester City from Dalian for 2 million pounds ($3.9 million). He was impressive in his first season with solid defense.

    He also became the first Chinese player to score in the Premier League in October 2002 when he headed home in City's 2-0 win over Birmingham City.

    With the arrival of Sven Goran Eriksson, Sun had few chances to compete in the 2007-08 season and did not extend his contract with the club.

    Sun said his agent is keeping in touch with some clubs in England and other European countries.

    "I still hope to play in European leagues. The 2008 Euro shows they are playing the best soccer in the world."

    (Source: China Daily/Agencies)